December 23, 2021 — Leviticus 11:1-8 – “Bring Home the Bacon”

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. “‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you. The hyrax, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” Leviticus 11:1-8 

“Bring home the bacon:”In 1104, a tradition was born in the ancient town of Dunmow in Essex. One day, a couple begged for a blessing of their union a year and a day after their marriage. The Prior of the Augustinian monastery was so struck by their devotion to each other that he gave them a “flitch”, which is a side of bacon. The 900-year-old ‘Dunmow Flitch’ still takes place today, once every four years, with couples trying to persuade a jury that they have “not wisht themselves unmarried again”. The successful pairs get to “bring home the bacon.” This “Flitch” became so well known around the country, and was mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” written at the end of the 14th century. Specifically, in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” comes the line: “But never for us the flitch of bacon though, that some may win in Essex at Dunmow.” 

Bacon is good. I can only say that I do not know anyone who does not like bacon. Yet, the biblical mandate was not to eat anything that either or both chewed the cud or had a divided hoof. In fact, they were not only to eat them, but some of these animals were even forbidden to be touched. There were various reasons they avoided such animals — the pig was one who had a divided hoof. One of the disgraces that comes to the “Prodigal Son” is that he has to feed swine — and laments for their pods to eat, he is so hungry — thus his life has come to such a low point.

I would love to win a side of bacon —and yet to “feed on the Word of G-d” is often just as satisfying. Take time every day to feed upon the words of Jesus and come to services to take Jesus into your very soul through Holy Communion.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, help us to remember that you call us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” As such we look to feast on your words and your body and blood in communion as often as possible. Amen.

Pastor Dave